Chi Zhang
Chi is Scotland’s leading Chinese calligrapher and painter.
In his current paintings, which focus on the Scottish landscape, Chi encapsulates the essence of his surroundings rather than a naturalistic rendering. This he does with the use of traditional Chinese materials and techniques, exploiting the rich effects created by the interaction of brush, ink, water and paper, and contrasting delicate line with patches of ink and colour.
His Chinese calligraphy was projected onto Edinburgh Castle during the 2015 Edinburgh Military Tattoo. His Chinese landscape paintings have been exhibited in the Scottish National Gallery Academy Building in 2012 and 2013.
Chi’s calligraphy graces the pages of ‘Selected Poems by Robert Burns in Chinese Translation’ (Edinburgh University Press, 2010). Chi also provides the Chinese calligraphy of poems for ‘Hard Roads an Cauld Hairst Winds: Li Bai an Du Fu in Scots’, published in 2021 with the beneficiary of a Scottish Book Trust Scots Publication Grant.
Chi reveals the art and ethos of calligraphy and brush painting to a wide audience. Chi is enthusiastic to enjoy and share his knowledge and experience about Chinese brush painting and calligraphy with others.